Actuating means for fusible electric switch



March 9, 1965 A. R. CELLERINI ETAL 3,172,984

ACTUATING MEANS FOR FUSIBLE ELECTRIC SWITCH 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed June 13, 1958 WITNESSES Albert R. Cellerini 8 Louis N. Ricci A TORNEY March 9, 1965 A. R. CELLERlNl ET AL 3, 7

ACTUATING MEANS FOR FUSIBLE ELECTRIC SWITCH Original Filed June 13, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.4.

March 9, 1965 A. R. CELLERlNl ETAL 3,172,984

ACTUATING MEANS FOR FUSIBLE ELECTRIC SWITCH Original Filed June 13, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.6.

Fig.8.

March 9, 1965 A. R. CELLERINIY ET AL 3,

ACTUATING MEANS FOR FUSIBLE ELECTRIC SWITCH Original Filed June 13, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 March 9, 1965 A. R. CELLERINI ET AL 3, 7 ,98

ACTUATING MEANS FOR FUSIBLE ELECTRIC SWITCH Original Filed June 15. 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. IO.

United States Patent 3,172,984 ACTUATING MEANS FOR FUSIBLE ELECTRIC SWITCH Albert R. Cellerini, Beaver, and Louis N. Ricci, Chippewa Township, Beaver County, Pa., assignors to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Original application June 13, 1958, Ser. No. 741,829, now Patent No. 2,989,607, dated June 20, 1961. Divided and this application Sept. 29, 1960, Ser. No. 59,357

6 Claims. (Cl. 200172) This invention relates, generally, to electric switches and, more particularly, to switches which are of the fusible type, such as, for example, the switch described in a copending application of A. R. Cellerini and H. D. Dorfman, Serial No. 619,582, filed October 31, 1956, now Patent No. 2,849,572, issued August 26, 1958.

This application is a division of application Serial No. 741,829, filed June 13, 1958, now Patent No. 2,989,607, issued June 20, 1961.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved switch which has readily accessible terminals for the making of external connections to the switch.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch having fuse clips which are attachable from above the switch.

A further object of the invention is to provide a switch which may be operated by means of an ordinary tool, such as a screwdriver, when the normal operating means is disconnected from the operating mechanism.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a switch which may be readily changed from a fused to a non-fused switch or vice versa without utilizing flexible shunts.

A still further object of the invention is to preclude the possibility of making the wrong connections when changing from a non-fused to a fused switch.

Other objects of the invention will be explained fully hereinafter or will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the fuses for a switch are mounted on top of the switch base and are so offset to one side that the contact members of the switch are visible from above the switch. The line terminals and the load terminals are offset to the other side of the center line through the contact members, thereby facilitating the making of wiring connections to the switch. The fuse clips are fastened to adapters which are attached to the tops of fiat conductors from above the switch. When the cover of the enclosure is open, thereby disconnecting the actuating handle from the operating mechanism, the switch may be operated by inserting a screwdriver in a slot provided in the operating mechanism, Rigid connectors are provided for changing the switch from a fused to a non-fused switch or vice versa. It is difficult to make the wrong connections when changing from a non-fused to a fused switch.

For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view, in plan, of a portion of an unfused electric switch embodying the principal features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, taken generally along the line IIII in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view, in elevation, of a connector utilized in the switch;

FIG. 5 is a view, in elevation, of another connector utilized in the switch;

3,172,984 Patented Mar. 9, 1965 FIGS. 6 and 7 are views, in plan and elevation, respectively, of a terminal conductor utilized in the switch;

FIG. 8 is a view, in end elevation, of the structure shown shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a view, similar to FIG. 1, of a fused switch, some of the fuses and one pair of fuse clips being omitted;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are views, in plan and in elevation, respectively, of a fuse clip utilized on the switch;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are views, in plan and side elevation, respectively, of a fuse terminal and connector utilized in the switch, and a I FIG. 14 is a view, in end elevation, of the switch shown in FIG. 9.

As explained hereinbefore, the switch structure herein described is an improvement on the type disclosed in a copending application of A. R. Celleriniand H. D. Dorfman, Serial No. 619,582, filed October 31, 1956. As shown in the drawings, and particularly FIG. 1, the switch structure comprises a base 12 in which are disposed the terminal members, the contact members, the are extinguishers and the actuating mechanism for a three-pole manually-operable switch. The base 12 is of a unitary structure and is preferably molded from a suitable insulating material. It is provided with a recess or compartment for the metal parts of each pole of the switch and a separate compartment for the toggle actuating mechanism. It is also provided with numerous recesses for the screws and rivets which are utilized for attaching the metal parts to the base.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, each pole of the switch structure comprises a line terminal assembly which includes a conductor 13, a terminal clamp or collar 14 at tached to one end of the conductor 13 for connecting a line conductor to the conductor 13 and a stationary contact member 15 secured to the other end of the conductor 13. The collar 14 is provided with a threaded screw 16 for connecting a line conductor to the terminal.

A movable contact arm 17 is secured to an insulating shaft 18 by means of a clamp or bracket 17. A movable contact member 19 is pivotally attached to the contact arm 17. A spring 20 is disposed between the contact member 19 and the contact arm 17 to determine the contact pressure between the contact members 15 and 19 when they are engaged. As will be described more fully hereinafter, the shaft 18, which is rotatably mounted in the base 12 and disposed parallel to the base, is rotated by a toggle mechanism to oscillate the contact arm 17 thereby engaging the contact member 19 with the contact member 15.

A flexible conductor 21, which has one end attached to the contact member 19, has the other end attached toa connector 22 by means of a screw 24 which is threaded into a metal insert 24 in the base 12. As shown more clearly in FIG. 5, the connector 22 is generally of a Z- shape. As shown, the upper horizontal leg of the connector may be provided with two holes 23 and 23'. These holes are so spaced that when the connector 22 is in the position shown in FIG. 1, the hole 23 may be utilized to connect the connector 22 to a. load-side fuse terminal 25 which is attached to the base 12.

When the connector 22 is connected directly to the load-side fuse terminal 25, the switch is utilized as a nonfused switch. A circuit extends from the line-side terminal connector 14 through the conductor 13, the contact members 15 and 19, the flexible conductor 21, the connector 22, the fuse terminal 25 and the load-side terminal connector 14' which is attached to the load-side fuse terminal 25 by means of a screw 26 (FIG. 2.).

As shown in FIG. 4, the fuse terminal 25 is generally of a Z-Shape. Thus, the upper portion of the terminal attached to the base 12 by means of screws 47.

3 25 is at a higher level than the lower portion to which the terminal connector 14 is attached.

As shown in FIG. 2, the line-side terminal assembly for each pole is disposed in a recess 27 in the base 12 and'the load-side terminal assembly for each pole is disposed in a recess 28 in the base 12. An arc extinguisher 29 and the contact members for each pole are disposed in a recess 31 in the base 12. As explained in the aforesaid copending application of Cellerini and Dorfman, the toggle actuating mechanism 70 is disposed in a separate recess 71 located between two poles of the switch, thereby keeping the actuating mechanism deenergized at all times.

The toggle mechanism for actuating the contact members of the switch may be of a snap-acting type previously utilized in manually operable switches. This mechanism is more fully described in a copending application of A. R. Cellerini, Serial No. 619,583, filed October 31, 1956, now Patent No. 2,849,555, issued August 26, 1958. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the mechanism '70 is operated by a generally U-shaped lever 32 which is inverted. A link 33 is pivotally connected to a bracket 34' which is attached to the base of the operating lever 32. The link 33 has an opening 35 therein through which one end of an' operating arm 36 extends. The arm as is secured to a sleeve 37 which is rotatably mounted in the base 12. The sleeve 37 is rotated to operate the switch mechanism in a manner which will be described more fully hereinafter.

As described in the aforesaid copending application of Cellerini, it is desirable to provide for mounting switches of the present type in enclosures which may be of ditferent depths. As shown in FIG. 2, an internally threaded member 38 is secured to the upper end of the seleeve 37. As shown in FIG. 14, an operating shaft 39 is adjustably threaded into the member 38. Thus, the vertical height of the upper end of the shaft 39 may be adjusted according to the depth of the enclosuure in which the switch is mounted. The shaft 39 may be retained at the desired height by means of 'a set screw 41 which extends through the member 38 to engage the'shaft 39.

As also sho-wn'in FIG. 14, a generally cone-shaped cap 42 is mounted on'the upper end of the shaft 39 and a pin 43 extends through the cap 42 and the shaft 39.

It is desirable to be able to operate the switch mechanism when the cover of the enclosure is open and the operating handle is disengaged from the cap 42. With this end in view, a slot 44 (FIG. 2) is provided in the 'upper end of the bracket 34, which as previously explained, is attached to the operating lever 32. Thus,

the switch may be operated by inserting a screwdriver or similar tool in the slot 44 and utilizing the screwdriver as a means for actuating the lever 34 to operate the switch mechanism. The screwdriver or other tool is utilized as a leve'r'to obtain a mechanical advantage,

thereby enabling the switch mechanism to be actuated without attaching a handle to the cap 42 on the shaft 39.

As explained in the aforesaid copending application 'of Cellerini, it is frequently advisable to provide an aux- 'il1ary switch or auxiliary contact members which are operated in conjunction with the main contact members of a'switch of the present type. The auxiliary contact i members may be utilized in control and indicating circuits for the mam switch. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, an

auxiliary switch 45 is mounted on a bracket 46 which is The switch 45 is disposed in a recess 48 in the base and is 4 attached to the bracket 46 by means of screws 49 The switch may be of a snapacting type available on the open market and the contact members of the switch are actuated by a plunger 51. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, an arm 52 is oscillated by the shaft 18 to engage a lever 53 on the switch 45 to depress the plunger 51 when the shaft 18 is rotated to operate the main contact members of the switch. Thus, the auxiliary switch is operated in corn junction with the main contact members of the switch as previously explained. The switch 45 is of a spring-return snap-acting type. Thus, the plunger 51 is returned to its uppermost position when pressure is removed from the lever 53 by disengaging the arm 52 from the lever 53.

In order to facilitate the making of electrical connections to the switch, the terminal connectors 14 and 14', are offset to one side of the center line through the contact members of the switch. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the line terminal conductor 13 is offset in a vertical plane and also in a horizontal plane. Thus, the terminal connector 14 which is attached to the conductor 13 is offset from the center line through the contact members of the switch. Likewise, the terminal connector 14, which is in alignment with the connector 14, is offset from the center line through the switch. As previously explained, the connector 14' is attached to the Z-shaped fuse terminal 25.

As shown in FIG. 1, the load-size fuse terminal 25 and a line-side fuse terminal 55 are offset to the other side of the center line through the switch. Thus, when fuses are provided for the switch, as will be described more fully hereinafter, they do not'extend over the terminal screws 16 and 16' and do not interfere with the making of electrical connections to the switch.

As explained hereinbefore, it is desirable to be able to utilize the present switch either as a non-fused switch or as a fused switch. In order to utilize the switch as a fused switch, a fixedconnector 56 extends along one side of each pole of the switch. The main central portion of the conductor 55 is on edge and lies in a plane gen erally perpendicular to the base of the switch, so that heavy currents may be conducted and still keep the width of the switch to a minimum. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, one end of the connector 56 is attached to the line-side fuse terminal 55, preferably by brazing the connector 56 to the fuse terminal 55. The other end of the connector 55 has an offset portion 57 provided with an opening 58. As shown in FIG. 9, a connector 22,jwhich is similar in shape to the connector 22 but having a shorter upper horizontal leg, may be attached to the end 57 of the connector 56 by means of a screw 59 which is inserted into the opening 58.

If it is not desired to provide a separate connector 22', similar to the connector 22, the connector 22 may be rotated about the screw 24 to a position in which the screw 59 may be inserted through the opening 23 in the connector 22. Thus, the same connector 22 may be utilized to connect the switch either as a fused or a non-fused switch, or as previously stated a separate connector 22' may be provided when the switch is connected as a fused switch. In either case, the connector 22 must be disconnected from thefuse terminal 25 before a fuse clip can be attached to this terminal to utilize the switch as a fused switch. Thus, the possibility of an error being made in changing the connections from a non-fused to a fused's-witch is precluded. The same screw 59 may be utilized for connecting the connector 22 to the fuse terminal 25 or to the connector 56. If a separate connector 22' is provided, the screw 59 may be utilized to attach this connector to the connector 56.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 14, a fuse clip 61 may be attached to each fuse terminal 25. Likewise, another clip 61 may be attached to each fuse terminalSS. Heretofore, fuse clips or holders of a type for receiving blade type fuses have been so constructed that they can be attached to conductors by screws coming up from the bottom of the conductor.

In the present switch, it is not feasible to utilize screws which must be inserted from the bottom of the switch to attach the fuse clips to the fuse terminals or conductors. Thus, as shown more clearly in FIGS. and 11, one of the present fuse clips comprises a pair of oppositely disposed generally =L-shaped blades 62 which are attached to an adapter 63 by means of rivets 64. The rivets 64 are flush with the bottom of the adapter 63, thereby permitting the adapter to be mounted on the surface of a terminal. Two holes 65 are provided in the adapter 63 for receiving screws for attaching the adapter to the fuse terminal. Thus, the fuse clips may be attached to the fuse terminals by screws which are inserted from above the clips. Oppositely disposed pressure springs 66 may be fastened on the blades 62 by means of a rivet 67 in a manner well known in the art. In this manner, the contact pressure between the blades 62 and the blade of the fuse may be increased.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 14, a fuse 68 may be inserted in the fuse clips 61. When fuses are provided for the switch the electrical circuit through each pole of the switch extends from the line side terminal connector 14 through the conductor 13, the contact members 15 and 19, the flexible conductor 21, the connector 22 or 22, the connector 56, the line-side fuse terminal 55, the fuse 68, the load side fuse terminal 25 and the load-side terminal connector 14.

As previously explained, if it is desired to utilize the switch as a non-fused switch, the fuse clips 61 of the fuses 68 may be removed and the connector 22 utilized to connect the flexible conductor 21 directly to the load-side fuse terminal 25. It will be noted that the connectors 22 and 22', which are utilized in changing the switch from a fused to a non-fused switch or vice versa, are of a rigid type. Thus, it is not necessary to utilize flexible shunts or conductors in changing the connections for the switch. As previously explained, the present switch is constructed for relatively heavy duty and is capable of the carrying of 200 amperes or more of current. Therefore, it is not feasible to utilize flexible conductors in making changes in the switch connections since the flexible conductors would necessarily be heavy and difficult to utilize in making a changeover from fused to non-fused operation or vice versa.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that the present switch is suitable for relatively heavy duty service. The switch is so constructed that electrical connections may be readily made to the switch and it may be readily connected for either fused or non-fused operation. The fuse clips may be readily attached to the switch when changing from non-fused to fused operation. The operating mechanism may be actuated for testing or inspection purposes without it being necessary to provide an extra operating handle in addition to the handle attached to the cover of the enclosure for the switch.

Since numerous changes may be made in the above described construction and different embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim as our invention:

1. An electric switch comprising a unitary insulating base, a line terminal conductor attached to said base, a cont-act member secured to said line terminal conductor, a contact arm having a contact member secured thereto and engageable with the contact member on the line terminal conductor, actuating means operatively connected to said contact arm for oscillating said contact arm, a first means attached to said actuating means to operate the switch, and a slot in said actuating means for receiving a tool for driving the actuating means and constituting a second means for operating the switch when the first means is detached from said actuating means.

2. In an electric switch, in combination, an insulating base, a fixed contact member on said base, .a movable con tact member engageable with the fixed contact member, a snap-acting mechanism operatively connected to said movable contact member for actuating the movable contact member, a lever operatively connected to said mechanism for operating said mechanism, a rotatable shaft for normally actuating said lever and constituting a primary means for operating the switch, and a slot in said lever for receiving a tool to actuate the lever and constitute a secondary means for operating the switch independently of said primary means.

3. In an alectric switch, in combination, an insulating base, a fixed contact member on said base, a movable contact member engageable with the fixed contact member, a snap-acting mechanism operatively connected to said movable contact member for actuating the movable contact member, a lever operatively connected to said mechanism for operating said mechanism, a shaft having one end rotatably mounted in said base, the other end of said shaft being available for receiving a handle to rotate the shaft, a link connecting the shaft to the lever to actuate the lever and constitute a first means for operating the switch, and a slot in said lever for receiving a tool to actuate the lever without said handle and constitute a second means for operating the switch independently of said shaft when the handle is removed from said shaft.

4. In an electric switch, in combination, an insulating base, a fixed contact member on said base, a movable contact member engageable with the fixed contact member, a snap-acting mechanism operatively connected to said movable contact member for actuating the movable contact member, a lever operatively connected to said mechanism for operating said mechanism, a rotatable shaft for normally actuating said lever and constituting a first means for operating the switch, and a generally V-shaped slot in said lever for receiving a tapered tool to actuate the lever and constitute a second means for operating the switch independently of said rotatable shaft.

5. In an enclosed electric switch, in combination an enclosure having an openable cover, an insulating base disposed in said enclosure, a fixed contact member on said base, a movable contact member engageable with the fixed contact member, a snap-acting mechanism disposed in said enclosure and operatively connected to said movable contact member for actuating the movable contact member, a lever operatively connected to said mechanism for operating said mechanism, a shaft having one end rotatably mounted in said base, the other end of said shaft being available for receiving a handle externally of said cover in the closed position to rotate the shaft, a link connecting the shaft to the lever to actuate the lever thereby constituting a primary means for operating the switch, and a tapered slot disposed in one end of said lever inside said enclosure for receiving a tapered tool to actuate the lever without said handle thereby constituting a secondary means for operating the switch when said cover is opened and said handle is removed from said shaft.

6. An enclosed electric switch comprising an enclosure having an openable cover, an electrically insulating base disposed in said enclosure, a fixed contact disposed on said base, a movable contact engageable with the fixed contact member, a snap acting mechanism disposed in said enclosure and operatively connected to said movable contact member for actuating the movable contact member, a lever operatively connected to said mechanism for operating said mechanism, a shaft having one end rotatably mounted in said base, the other end of said shaft being available for receiving a handle externally of said cover in the closed position to rotate the shaft, :a link connecting the shaft to the lever to actuate the lever and constitute a first means for operating the switch, and a slot in said lever for receiving a tool to actuate the lever without said handle when said cover is opened and said handle is removed and to constitute a second means for operating the switch independently of said shaft when the handle is removed from said shaft, said slot in said lever being accessible only when said cover is opened.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/53 Dietrich 200-172 8 2,757,252 7/56 Sparr et a1. 200172 2,849,555 8/58 Cellerini ZOO-50.1 2,961,501 11/60 Piteo 200-172 FQREIGN PATENTS 215,063 9/56 Australia.

BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner. MAX L. LEVY, ROBERT K. SHAEFER, Examiners 

1. AN ELECTRIC SWITCH COMPRISING A UNITARY INSULATING BASE, A LINE TERMINAL CONDUCTOR ATTACHED TO SAID BASE, A CONTACT MEMBER SECURED TO SAID LINE TERMINAL CONDUCTOR, A CONTACT ARM HAVING A CONTACT MEMBER SECURED THERETO AND ENGAGEABLE WITH THE CONTACT MEMBER ON THE LINE TERMINAL CONDUCTOR, ACTUATING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID CONTACT ARM FOR OSCILLATING SAID CONTACT ARM, A FIRST MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID ACTUATING MEANS TO OPERATE THE SWITCH, AND A SLOT IN SAID ACTUATING MEANS FOR RECEIVING A TOOL FOR DRIVING THE ACTUATING MEANS FOR AND CONSTITUTING A SECOND MEANS FOR OPERATING THE SWITCH WHEN THE FIRST MEANS IS DETACHED FROM SAID ACTUATING MEANS. 